What’s the tallest mountain in the world?

Two mysteries we can't stop thinking about: Is lightning actually caused by cosmic rays? And why don't birds play chess? Articles featured: “What Causes Lightning?” by Charlie Wood (also featured on The Quanta Podcast) and “Empire of flight” by Antone Martinho-Truswell. For show ...  Show more

When an invasive bug landed on the East Coast, people embraced the order to squish it to death. But what has all that squishing done to us? Guests: Julie Urban, professor in the entomology department at Penn State; Chelsea Batavia, community engagement coordinator with a PhD in f ...  Show more

This Sunday, the greatest telescope in the history of humanity is scheduled to reach its destination nearly a million miles away from Earth. Vox’s Unexplainable explored what it will do when it gets there. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a ...  Show more

Fat women make less money than thin women and get fewer raises and promotions. It’s going to take more than a wonder drug to fix fatphobia in America. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Anouck Dussaud and Laura Bullard, engine ...  Show more

A London firefighter swaps the intense heat of his day job for the extreme cold of Western Europe’s tallest mountain. As Dan Acquah begins a multi-day ascent with his friend, Matt Tomlinson, spirits are high. But as they inch upwards, the difficulties stack up. With both of their ...  Show more

Wyoming has come to save us all with it's rare earth elements! And get your bald caps ready, because Wade has a special message just for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices